Reinforcing stereotypes about Jews

Yair Rosenberg

The Washington Post

Is Donald Trump “a philo-Semite or an anti-Semite?” asked Yair Rosenberg. That question came to the fore last week when the president said American Jews who vote for Democrats and against him are “disloyal” to Israel—“an inversion of the traditional dual loyalty trope,” which accuses Jews of being more loyal to Israel than to their home countries. Trump is actually telling Jews that their primary loyalty should be to Israel. As president, he has told American Jews at gatherings that Israel is “your country” and Benjamin Netanyahu is “your prime minister.” Throughout his life, Trump has demonstrated that he believes “all the anti-Semitic stereotypes about Jews.” He has said he wants people with yarmulkes counting his money and openly depicts Jews as aggressive lawyers and shrewd businessmen who know how to buy political influence. Yet Trump sees these stereotypes as “admirable,” because he has “always stood solely for his own naked self-interest” and thinks everyone should operate that way. This kind of philo-Semitism by a U.S. president, however, is “deeply dangerous.” It reinforces “the beliefs of bigots” that Jews are rich, powerful, and more loyal to Israel than to the U.S. That kind of love the Jews can do without. At some point, these stereotypes will be “weaponized” against us.